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© 2013 KentuckyGuard
Story and photos by Spc. Brandy Mort, 133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
Staff Sgt. David Watts with the 63rd Theater Aviation Brigade, explains why time is critical to each of the participants of the second annual Command Sergeant Major Challenge at the Hidden Valley training site in Powell County, Ky., Sept. 13-15. Each group of participants was given roughly ten minutes to complete each task and four hours in which to complete each lane. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Spc. Brandy Mort)
POWELL COUNTY, Ky. — Picking a location, surveying the land, and logistically planning a three-day challenge may sound like a tough job for most. However, that’s exactly what one man in the Kentucky National Guard did in preparation for one of the biggest training events for the 63rd Theater Aviation Brigade.
Staff Sgt. David Watts, Intelligence non-commissioned officer for the 63rd Theater Aviation Brigade designed the layout and developed the scenarios for each mission and subtasks for the Second Annual Command Sergeant Major Challenge at the 500-acre Hidden Valley Training site in Powell County, Ky., Sept. 13-15.
The 25-year veteran has worn the hat of a tanker for the active duty military and the Kentucky National Guard as well as an aviation intelligence NCO.
Staff Sgt. David Watts with the 63rd Theater Aviation Brigade, inputs data collected during the Command Sergeant Major Challenge at the Hidden Valley Training site, Sept. 13-15. This year, over 400 soldiers of the 63rd TAB participated. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Spc. Brandy Mort)
Watts has been in charge of designing that course for both years of the event. However, plans had to drastically change since the number of participants nearly doubled for 2013. The event also changed in the manner that only enlisted Soldiers were involved, from the planning, all through the execution of the challenge.
“This year we had to develop more task points,” said Watts, “We have over 400 participants this year, which allowed us to be more creative with each scenario.”
As soon as the event ended last year, Watts mind was already focused on this years event.
“I’ve been working on this project for about eight months,” said Watts, “In that time I planned the scenarios, developed the course map, and surveyed the area.”
Brigade Command Sgt. Maj. Kevin Wilkins, who sponsored the event this year, expressed pride in the work Watts accomplished.
“Watts is the brains behind the entire mission,” said Wilkins, “He took it upon himself to get the job done. He is a strong asset to have in the 63rd.”
While Watts was in charge of most of the planning he doesn’t consider himself alone in the process. He also worked along with other various Soldiers from the 63rd TAB.
In his spare time he enjoys hanging out with his 12-year-old son and riding his motorcycle.
“I enjoy teaching him judo and archery,” said Watts.
The efforts made by Watts to complete a successful CSM Challenge was noticed by Kentucky’s State Command Sergeant Major, Command Sgt. Maj. Thomas Chumley. Chumley presented Watts with a coin for his excellence during an awards ceremony held on the last day of the event.
“This event is exactly the kind of idea we need to go with, for enlisted, by enlisted,” said Chumley. “Now that’s what I’m talking about!”
Story by Staff Sgt. Scott Raymond, Kentucky National Guard Public Affairs
Michael Lewis, an Army Veteran and Kentucky farmer hands out lunches to Soldiers of the 63rd Theater Aviation Brigade at the hidden Valley Training Site in Powell County, Ky., Sept.15, 2013. Lewis joined with the Department of Agriculture in presenting the one-of-a-kind Kentucky Proud luncheon to the unit in appreciation and also to bring awareness of programs available that assist Service members interested in farming. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Scott Raymond)
POWELL COUNTY, Ky. — Soldiers of the 63rd Theater Aviation Brigade concluded an extensive three-day training weekend with a unique picnic lunch at the Hidden Valley Training Site near Clay City, Ky., Sept. 15, 2013. The luncheon was courtesy of Kentucky’s Department of Agriculture and brought to them by a Veteran farmer.
“This a great end to a weekend,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Kevin Wilkins. “This weekend is quite different for these Soldiers, but so is this meal. What a treat for all of us.”
More than 400 Guardsmen of the unit participated in the Command Sergeant Major Challenge, an annual event for the 63rd that brings the aviation Soldiers out of the hangers and into the field for training in the Army Warrior tasks.
“I’m happy to receive a meal from Kentucky Proud,” said Spc. Tabitha King, a supply sergeant with 2/147th, “It’s from Kentucky so you know it’s going to be good.”
To see more photos from the luncheon, click here.
Jason Noto, Kentucky Proud vendor and U.S. Marine Veteran speaks to the Soldiers of the 63rd Theater Aviation Brigade at the Hidden Valley Training Site in Powell County, Ky., Sept. 15, 2013. Noto owns his own food business and farm in Sadieville, Ky., and prepared food for the Soldiers as part of a luncheon coordinated by the Kentucky Department of Agriculture. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Spc. Brandy Mort)
The food was prepared by Jason Noto, owner and operator of Mia Nonni Mobile Food Truck and Shade Tree Farms in Sadieville, Ky. A native of Shelbyville, Ky., Noto served nine years in the Marine Corps and this year, followed a life-long dream of owning his own food business.
A menu of barbecue pulled pork and chicken, Italian sausage, vegetable boil of corn, potatoes and carrots were laid out with a variety of fixings available to each Soldier as they passed through the line.
Agriculture Commissioner James Comer was on hand to oversee the event and took the opportunity to speak to the Soldiers about the Homegrown By Heroes and Kentucky Proud Jobs for Vets initiatives. He said farming and being in the military are very similar and combining the two could be be beneficial for Service members and their communities.
” I’m glad to be here,” said Comer as he stood at the front of the food line shaking hands with each Soldier who passed.
“This is just a small token of our appreciation for everything our Service men and women do for us every single day,” he said.
The first of it’s kind, Homegrown By Heroes is a label that denotes a product is grown or produced by a current or former Service member. The Kentucky Proud Jobs for Vets helps Veterans find employment in the agriculture sector.
Comer’s programs are being pushed by Veteran farmers already working in Kentucky, such as Michael Lewis.
An Army Veteran and Kentucky Proud farmer, Lewis also spoke to the Soldiers, informing them of the many opportunities available in farming.
Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner, James Comer greets the Soldiers of the 63rd Theater Aviation Brigade during a luncheon at the Hidden Valley Training Site in Powell County, Ky., Sept. 15, 2103. The Department of Agriculture coordinated the event to show appreciation to the Kentucky National Guard and to bring awareness of local programs that assist Service members and Veterans in their own farming needs. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Scott Raymond)
“There are many jobs related to agriculture out there,” he said. “And agriculture is one of the largest employment sectors in Kentucky.”
“I am here to ask you help me and the Kentucky Department of Agriculture,” he said. “To spread the word about the importance of these programs, and to plant a seed. If that seed sprouts into a backyard garden or a farm, we are here to help in any way we can.”
Lewis is also the Director of Growing Warriors, a program that helps to equip and train Veterans and their families with skills, tools and supplies to grow their own produce.
“It’s nice to be appreciated for all we do,” said Pfc. Joe Lovely, an aircraft hydraulics repair specialist with Bravo Company 351st. “I’m honored that they are using their own time, their own resources and their own family to provide us with locally grown products.”
Story and photos by Spc. Brandy Mort, 133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
Pfc. Lanham walks with his squad to their next point of instruction during the 63rd Theater Aviation Brigade’s Command Sergeant Major Challenge at Hidden Valley Training Site in Powell County, Ky., Sept. 14, 2013. Soldiers of the unit gathered in a field environment for the event which gave them the opportunity to focus on basic Army task training. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Spc. Brandy Mort)
POWELL COUNTY, Ky. — More than 400 Kentucky National Guardsmen from the 63rd Theatre Aviation Brigade participated in the second annual Command Sergeant Major Challenge at the Hidden Valley Training site in Powell County, Ky., Sept. 13-15.
From the time the sun rose and the dew settled and through the night Soldiers of the 63rd TAB faced a grueling three-day challenge. The event consisted of four different training lanes: Forward Operating Base Security, Medical, Army Warrior Tasks, and Survival. Underneath each lane were 42 subtasks dealing with each particular lane.
Units of the brigade were broke down into squads and were given precise instructions on when and where to be throughout the event. But it was entirely up to them to ensure they used land navigation skills and time management to maximize their training. Squads were awarded points for each task with the team with the most was presented the Command Sergeant Major Trophy during an awards presentation.
To see more photos from the event, click here.
According to the leadership of the brigade, the challenge was planned and executed by the enlisted members of the 63rd TAB. And that brought the enlisted ranks together, from the seasoned veteran to brand new privates.
“I’m happy this was my first drill with my unit,” said Pfc. Brittni Sherman, the newest patrol and supply specialist with the 2/147th Aviation. “It gives enlisted Soldiers like myself the opportunity to work within their platoon in order to accomplish the mission.”
The CSM challenge gives members of the 63rd TAB a special chance to practice basic soldier skills.
Sgt. 1st Class Adkins instructs Soldiers of the 63rd Theater Aviation Brigade on how to assist with a downed aircraft during the brigade’s Command Sergeant Major Challenge at the Hidden Valley Training Site in Powell County, Ky., Sept. 14, 2013. A variety of training lanes awaited the Soldiers of the brigade as they navigated the area from point to point with numerous Army tasks along the way. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Spc. Brandy Mort)
“Aviation Soldiers typically work on or around aircrafts on Boone Center,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Kevin Wilkins, Command Sgt. Maj. of the 63rd TAB. “This is a unique opportunity for Soldiers to practice skills in a field environment.”
Despite the cold weather and rugged terrain, the Guardsmen enjoyed the training.
“Events like the CSM Challenge make us all better Soldiers,” said Sgt. Marcus Avery, crew chief with Bravo Company 2/147th, “We got the opportunity to bond amongst our teams, and develop more efficient troop leading procedures.”
Certain Soldiers of the 63rd TAB also participated in the event as observers and controllers, or the subject matter expert at each point of instruction. This gave Guardsmen the chance to act the role of opposition forces in scenarios and teach different classes based on the lanes.
“This is a special chance for each Soldier of the 63rd to learn different jobs within the brigade,” said Sgt. 1st Class Dale Adkins, flight operations NCO with Detachment 11, Observation Support Aircraft Agency, “I’m teaching the Soldiers what how to react to a downed aircraft, how to pull security around it and what to do to help the pilots and crew. Everyone gets exposure to an aircraft, even if their job doesn’t call for it.”
The tough weekend concluded with a special treat for the unit as the Department of Agriculture and Kentucky Proud coordinated a luncheon with food prepared by Kentucky Veterans. After all the instruction and hiking through the woods, all the units came together for a meal unlike they had had all weekend. Col. Michael Ferguson, the commander of the 63rd oversaw the luncheon and the award ceremony, congratulating many Soldiers on their accomplishments.
To see the photos from the Kentucky Proud luncheon, click here.
Kentucky’s new State Command Sergeant Major, Command Sgt. Maj. Thomas Chumley also attended, paying his first visit to Soldiers in the field in his new role and praised the 63rd.
“I’m very proud of the Soldiers of the 63rd TAB,” said Chumley, “You have set the bar for the Kentucky National Guard. It’s events like these that keep men and women wanting to serve.”
Story by Capt. Gustave LaFontaine, 133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
Soldiers from the 207th Horizontal Construction Company of Hazard, Ky. make improvements to a road at Hidden Valley Training Site in Powell County, Ky. (Photo by Capt. Gustave LaFontaine, 133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
CLAY CITY, Ky. — Hidden Valley Training Center is tucked away in rolling hills just east of Irvine, Ky. The site annually hosts the Command Sergeant Major challenge for Soldiers of the 63rd Theater Aviation Brigade as well as other training events for the Kentucky National Guard.
Click here for more great photos of this story!
This summer the training site is undergoing many improvements by members of the 207th Horizontal Construction Company of Hazard, Ky., as part of the unit’s annual training. Their chief objective was to make improvements to one of the existing, yet modest, roads that lead into the training site.
Master Sgt. Brendon Ritchie oversees his team as they work on a road improvement project at the Kentucky National Guard’s Hidden Valley Training Site in Powell County. (Photo by Capt. Gustave LaFontaine, 133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)
The engineers have already completed the improvement of more than 4,000 feet of road. However, the 207th faced many obstacles as they worked to improve the seldom-used road.
“The road was already made but it was nothing but a big mud hole,” said Sgt. Jamison Fugate on the state of the road.
Master Sgt. Brendon Ritchie led a team of 15 Soldiers in the improvement project. The job included the use of more than a dozen engineering skills and a variety of engineering equipment. Ritchie explained some of their first obstacles.
“The biggest problem we had was moisture and the lack of ditches. If you can’t control your water you can’t have a road. It took us a day to get all the ditches done and get the water off of it.”
Preparing the ditches allowed the engineers to further develop the road surface.
“Once we did that we started putting the vibratory roller on it to compact it a little bit better. After that we started running our geotech.”
Geotech is a moisture barrier fabric that improves the durability of the road. It lies beneath every square inch of the Hidden Valley road. Fugate recalled the speed that the 207th Soldiers installed the material.
“In one day we laid 4,000 feet of geotech from the north gate to a new bivouac site.”
The opportunity to complete a real-world mission was motivational for the 207th Soldiers.
“It’s a great team building exercise,” said Fugate.
“This is what they enjoy,” said Ritchie. “They get out here and they get some (operating) time, they learn and they can see what we’re doing.”
Soldiers from the 207th Horizontal Construction Company of Hazard, Ky. make improvements to a road at Hidden Valley Training Site in Powell County, Ky. (Photo by Capt. Gustave LaFontaine, 133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
“Now they see why we’re putting a ditch in and they see why we’re pushing material in certain areas.”
Over the course of the project Ritchie has seen his Soldiers develop pride in their work.
“They care about their mission and they want the quality and the look. These Soldiers care about the job.”
The road that the 207th is improving is the largest project that they are completing but it’s not the only one. Ritchie’s team has also been improving a landing zone for helicopters and preparing a bivouac site for tents. In the future they hope to be able to build tent pads for the bivouac site, construct a motor pool and finish another 2,500 square feet of road. The mission that the 207th is completing will pave the way for future of training for Soldiers at Hidden Valley.
“It’s going to help Soldiers train better,” said Fugate. “That’s the main goal.”
Story by: Capt. Stephen Martin, Kentucky National Guard Public Affairs
Soldiers of the 63rd Theater Aviation Brigade conduct a water crossing in zodiac boats with a simulated casualty to complete the tactical exercise during the first ever ‘Command Sergeant Major Challenge” at Hidden Valley Training Site in Eastern Kentucky Sept. 14-16, 2012. (photo by Chief Warrant Officer 5 Jim Chanley, 63rd Theater Aviation Brigade)
POWELL COUNTY, Ky. — It’s a weekend most won’t forget in the Army Aviation community any time soon.
To view all the photos of the event, please click here.
Brigade Command Sgt. Maj. Kevin Wilkins of the 63rd Theater Aviation Brigade was charged with leading the first ever Aviation Brigade-wide “Command Sergeant Major Challenge” at the Hidden Valley Training Site in Eastern Kentucky Sept. 14-16.
“I served in the Marines for seven years before joining the Kentucky Guard, and I can honestly say that this was the best field exercise I’ve ever participated in,” said Spc. Lora Detwiler, Bravo Co. 2nd Battalion, 147th Aviation Regiment. “I truly had a blast.”
The three-day event spread out over the 551 acres that covers Hidden Valley and had Soldiers navigating from point to point and conducting squad-size tactical exercises.
Members of Charlie Co. 1st Battalion, 376th Aviation conduct a route reconnaissanceduring the Kentucky National Guard’s 63rd Theater Aviation Brigade ‘Command Sergeant Major Challenge” at Hidden Valley Training Site in Eastern Kentucky Sept. 14-16, 2012. (photo by Capt. Stephen Martin, Kentucky National Guard Public Affairs)
Lt. Col. Mike Stephens, deputy commander of the 63rdTAB, praised Maj. Mark Brozak who logistically coordinated the entire event. “Brozak did a great job with the 1,000’s of ‘Hey Sir, what about this, what about that’ and managed it all seamlessly,” said Stephens.“This was definitely a team-effort. No one person could have pulled this off,” replied Brozak.
Twenty-six teams covered 13 lanes over the 44-hour training event ranging from reacting to indirect fire to interacting with foreign local-nationals to a water crossing in zodiac boats.
The challenge was not only to negotiate the lanes effectively. These 10-15 person squad-sized elements had a leader. That squad leader was charged with taking care of his or her troops. He or she had to determine where they were going to sleep, when they were going to eat and with the overall safety of the group.
“I hope you learned something this weekend,” Wilkins told his Soldiers at the end of the exercise. “I hope that you grew yourself and your teams as small elements and more than anything have grown your own leadership abilities.”
Sgt. Josh Bryant, Bravo Co. 2nd Battalion, 147th Aviation Regiment, navigates a make-shift rope bridge to accomplish the tactical exercise at the Kentucky National Guard’s 63rd Theater Aviation Brigade first ever ‘Command Sergeant Major Challenge’ at Hidden Valley Training Site in Eastern Kentucky Sept. 14-16, 2012. (photo by Spc. Tom Harrington, Bravo Co. 2-147 Aviation Unit Public Affairs Historian Representative)
The army aviation community is normally accustomed to work with or on helicopters and airplanes during drill weekend, so this month’s training took a few by surprise. Despite this fact, everyone was up for the challenge.
The exercise itself was also a competition amongst the squads on who would prevail as the best. 1st Lt. John Kerr’s squad from Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 63rdTAB took home the top prize which was a piece of an OH-58 Kiowa Helicopter Blade with the squad members names engraved in the unique plaque.
“This is a training event that went from the private level all the way to the colonel level and each one of you has served with distinction,” commented Col. Mike Ferguson, 63rd TAB commander. “Great job finishing the first and what will be an annual event. The challenge is on for next year.”
DWA
Photos by 1st Lt. Michael Vaughan, 201st Engineer Battalion
Story by Staff Sgt. Michael Oliver, 133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
Powell County, Ky. (October 28, 2010) – Kentucky National Guardsmen of the 201st Engineer Battalion are put to the test during the unit’s Army warrior task training at the Hidden Valley
Kentucky Guardsmen of the 201st Engineer Battalion searches for improvised explosive devices during the unit's Army warrior task training at the Kentucky National Guard's Hidden Valley Training Site in Powell County, Ky.
Training Site in Powell County, Ky.
Soldiers went through a series of exercises which included identifying and reacting to improvised explosive devices as well as land navigation.
“This doesn’t knock out all the warrior task skills but it goes a great way to help the battalion hit their triennial requirements,” says Capt. Derrick Frodge, administrator officer of 201st Engineer Battalion.
“We call this training event the ‘engineer challenge’.”
Members of the 201st Engineer Battalion are in a land navigation class at the Hidden Valley Training Site in Powell, Ky.
Over 400 soldiers from the battalion were put to the test while the unit’s non-commissioned officers set up and executed the ‘engineer challenge.’
MJO
By 1LT Dustin Pack, Platoon Leader, 207th Engineer Company
Engineers from the Kentucky National Guard of 207th Horizontal Company and 149th Vertical Company use a new back hoe loader to dig up an area for the bridge’s headwall during the Soldiers monthly training at Kentucky National Guard Hidden Valley Training site in Powell County Ky., Aug. 22.
POWELL COUNTY KY (Sept. 29, 2010) – Massive improvements to the Kentucky National Guard Hidden Valley Training Site are now complete after two Kentucky engineer units worked in unison to install culverts and drainage systems to control erosion at the Central Kentucky facility.
Members of the 207th Horizontal Engineer Company and 149th Vertical Engineer Company finished the projects Aug. 22, after utilizing four weekend training periods to get the project done.
The Kentucky Guardsmen used shovels, heavy equipment and their hands to reinforce more than 5,000 feet of drainage systems to ensure that the site will withstand the ever-changing meteorological conditions that Central Kentucky is accustomed to.
Heavy equipment from the Kentucky National Guard 207th Horizontal Engineer Company backfills a bridge surrounding area with rock and clay mixture during the unit’s monthly training at Kentucky National Guard Hidden Valley Training Site in Powell County Ky., Aug. 22.
“The culvert played out like a turn based game,” said Staff Sgt. Adam Spencer, Detachment 1, 207th Horizontal Engineer Company.
“We would do a phase of the ground work, then the 149th would lay block then we would be back for more of the horizontal piece,” he said.
The Guardsman began the project May 2010. Plans are in the works for future improvements to the drainage system and will begin in fall 2010.
